Dunnet Head Lighthouse – Dunnet, Scotland - Atlas Obscura
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Dunnet Head Lighthouse

Dunnet, Scotland

The most northern place on the mainland of Great Britain. 

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Lighthouse with Hoy Island. KenJ (Atlas Obscura User)
Lighthouse with Hoy Island. KenJ (Atlas Obscura User)
Panorama of the Dunnet Head lighthouse. KenJ (Atlas Obscura User)
Inscription at Dunnet Head. KenJ (Atlas Obscura User)
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Dunnet Head, also known as Easter Head, is the most northern place on the mainland of Great Britain overlooking the Pentland Firth 90 meters (300 feet) below which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the North Sea

In addition to a wonderful ocean view, it features a lighthouse built in 1831 by famous lighthouse designer Robert Stevenson. From Dunnet Head, you can see three of the Orkney Islands and The Old Man of Hoy. Since 1989 its been run remotely so don’t expect to see any quaint light keeper around, but if no other tourists are there you may enjoy some solitude and a cool ocean wind.

Old military buildings can be found near the parking lot since this sea route is important for shipping.

Know Before You Go

The lighthouse is a little over a four-mile drive from Dunnet which is nine miles off the A9. This is also the most northern road on the mainland. There is a good parking area and no fees, but the lighthouse itself is currently not open for tours. A ferry leaves from nearby Thurso to the Orkney mainland.

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